OREANDA-NEWS. Gerdau's net revenue reached BRL 10.4 billion in the second quarter of 2014, an increase of 5.7% over the same period last year. This expansion was due especially to the continued growth in demand for steel in North America, which is one of Gerdau's main markets in the world.

Consolidated physical sales in turn reached 4.5 million metric tons of steel, which is a volume 2.4% lower than the second quarter in 2013. This was due to reduced demand for steel in the Brazilian market caused by lower economic activity in the period, a decline in exports from Brazil, and lower sales in the other countries of Latin America. During the period, consolidated steel production was 4.7 million metric tons, keeping in line with the second quarter of last year. The operating cash flow (EBITDA) of BRL 1.2 billion was 2.2% lower compared to the second quarter of 2013, a percentage similar to the variation of the consolidated net income (-2%), which reached BRL 393 million.

"The scenario of a surplus of installed capacity of steel around the world and pressure on margins impacted the steel sector as a whole, which has experienced a moment of volatility in earnings. However, Gerdau's strategy of geographic diversification of its assets has contributed to a greater stability of its performance. In this quarter, the recovery of the U.S. market made it possible to dilute the impact of a lower demand in some markets where the Company operates. At the same time we will continue to work to increase the operational efficiency of the Company's business, optimize our working capital compared to the levels of demand, and review investments in fixed assets (CAPEX)," says Gerdau's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) AndrЁ¦ B. Gerdau Johannpeter.

During the quarter, the markets supplied by Gerdau performed differently. Physical sales for the Brazilian market (excluding the units producing special steels) were 1.4 million metric tons, a decrease of 8.9% compared to the same period last year, while exports from the country went down 17.6%, reaching 216,000 metric tons. In the United States and Canada (excluding the units producing special steels), 1.7 million metric tons were sold, an increase of 6.9% over the second quarter last year driven by a growth in demand from non-residential construction.

In the other countries of Latin America (except Brazil), 631,000 metric tons were sold, which is 13.1% less compared to the same period last year. On the other hand, sales made by the Business Operation of Special Steels (including mills in Brazil, the United States, India, and Spain) totaled 749,000 metric tons, which is a volume 2.2% lower compared to the second quarter of 2013, mainly impacted by the reduction in the automotive industry's production in Brazil.

Sales of iron ore, in turn, reached 1.7 million metric tons, an increase of 94.1% over the same period the previous year. Of this total, 1 million metric tons was directed to Gerdau's mills and 715,000 metric tons to the market.

Gerdau's investments reach BRL 478.7 million in second quarter

Investments in fixed assets (CAPEX) amounted to BRL 478.7 million in the second quarter due to investments made that have already been announced, and the accumulated in the year is BRL 1.2 billion. In Brazil investments continue to be made to reduce costs and increase the productivity of the industrial plants.

In the United States, where there is renewed demand levels, investments are being made in the Saint Paul (Minnesota) mill, which will start operating a new continuous caster, increasing the installed capacity, product quality, and plant productivity. At the Beaumont (Texas) unit, the investments are dedicated to advancing the quality of products and in Midlothian (Texas) to increase the installed capacity. Also in the United States, in the special steel sector, investments are being made at the Monroe (Michigan) mill in order to increase its steel production, rolling, and finishing capacity. In Argentina the construction of a melt shop with an installed annual capacity of 650,000 metric tons is still in progress.

Considering the scenario of volatility of results experienced by the steel industry, Gerdau has revised its investment disbursement program (CAPEX) for 2014, going from BRL 2.9 billion to BRL 2.4 billion.

Dividends to be paid on August 21

The publicly traded companies Gerdau S.A. and MetalЁІrgica Gerdau S.A. will pay dividends for the second quarter of 2014 on August 21. BRL 102.3 million will be paid to the shareholders of Gerdau S.A. (BRL 0.06 per share) and BRL 28.4 million to the holders of MetalЁІrgica Gerdau S.A. shares (BRL 0.07 per share). In the first quarter of the year, the remuneration for the shareholders of MetalЁІrgica Gerdau S.A. totaled BRL 73.2 million (BRL 0.18 per share) and Gerdau S.A. was BRL 221.6 million (BRL 0.13 per share).